10 November 2015

update (22 Feb 2016): According to Botswana's transport and communications minister, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, the new daily passenger train service will operational by the end of March 2016. Regarding the refurbishment of train stations, Mr Mabeo said they were focusing on six stations being Gaborone, Francistown, Palapye, Lobatse, Serule and Mahalapye.

The President of Botswana, Ian Khama, confirmed during a State of the Nation address on 09 November 2015 that Botswana Railways (BR) will reintroduce a passenger rail service in the country. The service will run between Lobatse, located 70 km south of the capital Gaborone in South-Eastern Botswana, and Francistown, located about 400 km north-northeast from Gaborone in eastern Botswana. The plan is to operate a daily scheduled night services from each end, with additional services during holidays. The passenger rail service in Botswana is expected to commence in March 2016.